By Damilare Adeleye
Plateau State Command says it has arrested a 34-year-old man, Suleiman Yakubu, who appeared in a viral TikTok video inciting violence ahead of the planned nationwide protests.
The suspect was seen in the video simulating the public to attack security operatives and burn down critical State and private infrastructures in Plateau State as part of the activities for the protest.
Understandably, Nigerians particularly the youths have slated August 1 to 10 as period for a peaceful demonstration across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, to seek end to hardship and bad governance in the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, DSP Alfred Alabo, Plateau Police Public Relations Officer, said the suspect has confessed to being the one in the “scatheful video’’.
The statement reads, “Following the release of a TikTok video that occupied the social media space, stimulating violence in connection with the planned nationwide protest, the Plateau State Police Command has trailed and arrested the author of the inciting video.
“On 27/07/2024, the attention of the Command was drawn to the video putatively emanating from a Tik Tok account, identified as “Dam-Mallam68”.
“The suspect in the video was seen assertively inciting the public to attack security operatives and burn down critical State and private infrastructures in Plateau State as part of the activities for the protest.
“Based on the strength of the information, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc sets tactical assets of the Command on motion to trace and apprehend the source of the mischievous video.
“Consequently, on 28/07/2024 around 11:30 AM, one Suleiman Yakubu (male, aged 34 years) of Jos North, Plateau State who appeared in the viral video was picked at Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos through an impeccable informant.
“While in our custody, the suspect confessed to being the one in the scatheful video. Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing.
“In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police wishes to state that the Police will intensely resist any attempt by mischief makers to plunge the State in to chaos. He stressed the need for peace to remain untempered in the State amidst the before, during and after the protest.
“The Plateau State Commissioner of Police also urges the good people of Plateau State to be law abiding and refrain from making inciting comments that will threaten peace and security in the State.”
